Stalked Ascidian

Sycozoa murrayi (Herdman, 1886)

Taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Sources: Gowlett-Holmes, K. (2008) A field guide to the marine invertebrates of South Australia. Notomares, Australia.Edgar, G. J. (2008) Australian marine life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. New Holland Publishers, Australia.

Taxonomy

Phylum:

Chordata

Subphylum:

Tunicata

Class:

Ascidiacea

Order:

Aplousobranchia

Family:

Holozoidae

Genus:

Sycozoa

Species:

murrayi

General Description

A flattened colony of zooids on the end of a stalk. The zooids form paired rows along the side of the colony structure. Colour is usually orange. Colony up to 4 cm long.

Biology

These filter-feeding animals anchor themselves in sediment on or near reefs.